Navigating Apostasy Hatred, Terrorism, and Humanitarian Challenges in the Wake of Tragic Incidents

Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for British Asian Christian Association, raises alarm over Ahmed Ali Alid’s attack targeting an apostate and a 70-year-old individual, allegedly driven by sentiments related to the Gaza conflict. 

The harrowing incident underscores pressing concerns surrounding apostasy hatred, terrorism, and the asylum system’s fragility. The imperative for swift action and thorough examination of the UK’s security and humanitarian landscape is emphasized, demanding a delicate balance between national security imperatives and protection of fundamental human rights.

In our last newsletter, we reported on the distressing evacuation of 399 homes in Torry, Aberdeen, following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

Among those impacted is our dedicated volunteer, Hannah Chowdhry, who, at the tender age of 19, purchased a home only to receive a letter from Aberdeen City Council two months later, warning her of the imminent risk of her roof collapsing and endangering her life.

We are steadfast in our commitment to keeping you informed about Hannah’s tireless campaign as she battles against the bureaucratic indifference prevailing across the UK, while also studying for a law degree. This indifference has already resulted in the displacement of numerous residents, who now find themselves grappling with the burden of council-provided temporary housing costs at the same time as mortgage payments for properties they have lost, all amidst the challenges posed by a cost-of-living crisis.

In a disconcerting revelation, new estimates reveal that dozens of individuals found themselves sleeping rough in Redbridge over the past year.

This distressing trend mirrors a nationwide surge in homelessness, with advocacy groups pointing fingers at governmental inadequacies in addressing the housing crisis.

Amidst promises made by the Government to eradicate rough sleeping by 2024, the reality on the ground paints a starkly different picture. The cessation of the “Everyone In” initiative, which provided emergency accommodation to homeless individuals in hotels during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, marked a turning point. Since its conclusion in 2021, the number of people resorting to sleeping on the streets has witnessed a distressing escalation.

The latest Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities figures show 51 people were estimated to be sleeping rough in Redbridge based on a snapshot of a single night in autumn last year – up from 27 the year before.

On the evening of 6th April in Shahdara Town Lahore, tragedy struck when 18-year-old Aniqa Masih lost her life in a senseless act of violence. Aniqa was coming home with her father, Zulifqar Masih (48 yrs), after a regular shopping trip in Ichra Bazar Lahore, where they were preparing for her wedding next month.

Their evening turned terrifying when they stopped at a milk shop and encountered two masked robbers on a motorcycle. The robbers grabbed the cash box and started shooting when the shop owner, Muhammad Hassan, tried to fight back.

Sadly, the bullets meant for Hassan hit Aniqa in the chest and seriously injured Zulifqar in the arm. Aniqa fell to the ground, her hopes and dreams shattered in an instant, while her father collapsed from the shock and pain of his injuries.

Recent Russian attacks in Ukraine caused the deaths of innocent civilians, including children, and wrecked essential places like stores and hospitals.

In the Kharkiv region, Russian strikes hit a grocery store and a pharmacy in Lyptsi, killing three people, including a 14-year-old girl. A 16-year-old boy and a woman got hurt. A hospital in Vovchansk was also destroyed.

In Odesa, Russian missiles killed four people, including a 10-year-old girl, and injured seven. Two facilities in the south were attacked, causing power outages.

On Monday, April 1st, the BACA team visited the Presbyterian Church in Gujar Khan as a show of support after a fire on Good Friday (click here).

What our team learned was troubling and we share that report with you while we await police findings.

When our team arrived at the Gujar Khan church, Javed Masih, a church elder, spoke about the church’s significance to the local Christian community, particularly during events like Easter and Christmas. He explained that the weekly attendance at the church was around 500, but on Easter, it would increase to at least 1000.

On the morning of March 30th, 2024, the Presbyterian Church in Gujar Khan, Rawalpindi, became a scene of devastation as flames engulfed its sacred halls. What should have been a place of solace and prayer was instead reduced to ashes, leaving behind a community reeling in shock and fear.

Reports indicate that the blaze, ignited by unknown individuals around 3:00 am, tore through the church with merciless intensity. By the time the fire brigade arrived, the damage was extensive, with the roof, furniture, and cherished Biblical literature, including Bibles and hymn books, all consumed by the inferno.

Rev. Adeem Alfonse, the pastor overseeing the church, received a distressing call from a nearby medical store employee who noticed smoke billowing from the building. Despite swift action, the firefighters’ efforts were hampered by the already-raging fire, leaving behind a grim scene of destruction.

Approximately 40 esteemed guests, including prominent figures from various NGOs dedicated to promoting international religious freedom, were graciously welcomed to a special appreciation reception hosted at the UK Foreign Office.

This exclusive event was meticulously coordinated by MP Fiona Bruce, who serves as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Among the distinguished attendees were Hannah Chowdhry and Juliet Chowdhry, representing the British Asian Christian Association.

During the gathering, Hannah Chowdhry took the opportunity to present Fiona Bruce with a significant token of appreciation—a copy of our 2019 report shedding light on persecution in Pakistan. Authored by Desmond Fernandes, a renowned expert in genocide studies, the report is aptly titled “Call it by its name: ‘Persecution'”.

In a bid to supplement their meager income and provide for their impoverished families, two Christian sewer workers took on additional private work at an event hall, tasked with clearing a sizable drain.

Tragically, their endeavour ended in fatal consequences as the two men were discovered lifeless by a waste clearance worker. It became apparent that they had succumbed to the lethal fumes of toxic gases, rendering them unconscious and ultimately claiming their lives.

Overwhelmed by grief and desperation, the families of the deceased took to the streets in protest outside the event hall, seeking answers and justice for their loved ones.

However, their quest for accountability was met with further adversity as the building owner exerted undue influence, coercing the families into withdrawing their application at the police station under the Qisas and Diyat compromise laws. In a distressing turn of events, the families also opted to forgo the postmortem examination of the bodies.

A young Christian girl was tragically abducted in Faisalabad and forcefully converted to Islam.

Due to the coercer’s insistence that the conversion was the will of Allah, the courts callously refuse to allow the girl to reunite with her anguished parents.

The heartbroken father is shattered, tears streaming down his face, as he pleads for prayers and support from the global Christian community.

In their time of need, the family finds solace as British Asian Christian Association (BACA) steps in to stand in solidarity, offering crucial legal support and assistance.

Thirteen years after the tragic assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti (click here), the former Minister of Minorities in Pakistan, his legacy continues to inspire a global community committed to peace and religious freedom. In the aftermath of his tragic death, the British Asian Christian Association spearheaded the United Kingdom’s multi-faith response initially organizing a meeting with High Commissioner for Pakistan Wajid Shamsul-Haq, in March 2011. [Click here] for more information.

The profound emotions stirred by his violent murder culminated in several peace rallies (click here),  a significant peace concert at Trafalgar Square (click here), a packed candle-light vigil at Westminster Cathedral (click here) as well as the creation of a viral pop song ‘His Blood Cries Out’ by the Catholic band Ooberfuse (click here), a video was made in collaboration with BACA:

The meeting held yesterday (11th March 2024), organized by the Association of Pakistani Christians in Italy, aimed to commemorate Shahbaz Bhatti, who dedicated his life as a Catholic to fostering peace among religions and cultures. As a Pakistani citizen, he advocated for equal citizenship, particularly reaching out to persecuted Christians and marginalized religious minorities. His tangible contributions included negotiations with state stakeholders to uplift the most marginalized sectors of society, where he embodied the principles of Christ through his words and actions.

In an effort to bring spiritual nourishment to underprivileged Christian families, the outreach team of BACA embarked on a mission on March 9h, 2024. Their destination: brick kiln No.12 Joyanwala Mor and Soki Maliyan in Sheikhupura. These areas are home to a significant number of Christians who toil in brick kilns, factories, or on the lands of Muslim landlords, often enduring harsh working conditions. For many, access to the Word of God is a rare luxury, with their spiritual sustenance largely dependent on occasional visits by volunteer evangelists like Faisal Hadayat.

Evangelist Faisal Hadayat, having observed the dire need for Bibles among the Christian families of brick kiln No.12 and Soki Maliyan, approached BACA in March. He highlighted the lack of access to printed and audio Bibles, urging for support to address this fundamental need for his ministry.